Police Cooperation With Federal Immigration Enforcement

At a glance

• What: Whether the Manchester Police Department should enter a 287(g) agreement with ICE (deputization) or increase cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
• Where it stands: On August 4 the Board voted 11 to 2 with one abstention to support the department's existing arrangements and practices with federal agencies. No change in policy.
• Next: None scheduled.

August 4, 2026 new business

• Kantor asked whether the department would be deputized, noting federal funds and that Troy, New Hampshire has done it. Chief Chief Marr said no: with about 30 vacancies plus seven recruits in the academy until February (37 effective vacancies), the department could not spare four to six dedicated booking officers, because booking is a rotating patrol assignment; ICE has an office in the city.
• Sapienza said the department already cooperates, but an ICE officer told Sapienza the names and addresses given by arrestees are often fake, so custody to custody handoff would help.
• Bonilla said deputizing would destroy trust with immigrant and refugee communities. Barry cited years on federal fugitive task forces, the liability of a self-insured city, and recent ICE traffic stop shootings elsewhere. O'Neil said agencies already work together daily.
• Motion: Trisciani (seconded by Fajardo) moved to suspend the rules and support the department's existing arrangements and practices. Roll call: yea: Trisciani, O'Neil, Burkush, Barry, Vincent, Thomas, Kaw-uh, Goonan, Dexter, Fajardo, Bonilla. Nay: Sapienza, Kantor. Terrio abstained. The motion carried.

Public comment

• August 4: Girard said the chief had told him that of 3,525 arrests only four people had been turned over to ICE, and compared that with Troy's results under a 287(g) agreement. Kindeke and others urged the City to keep its promise not to hunt immigrants; another speaker said the City should not contract with ICE.
• September 1: a resident asked whether the Mayor had told police to cooperate with ICE; Mayor Ruais said they do regularly, and Chief Chief Marr confirmed they work with DEA, ICE, ATF, U.S. Marshals and state police. Others spoke about due process for immigrants.

Sources

• Board of Mayor and Aldermen minutes, September 1, 2026: https://manchesternh.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=5309,plainText=false)
• Board of Mayor and Aldermen minutes, August 4, 2026: https://manchesternh.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=5246,plainText=false)

Log

2026-09-01 - Board of Mayor and Aldermen

Public comment; Mayor Ruais and Chief Marr confirmed routine work with federal agencies.

2026-08-04 - Board of Mayor and Aldermen

Kantor and Sapienza pressed for closer cooperation; the Board supported the current arrangement 11 to 2 (one abstention).